Biography Frank Hutchens

Frank Townsend Hutchens was born in Canandaigua, N.Y. on June 7, 1869. Canandaigua is a picturesque in town at the northern end of Seneca Lake. His parents were Hiram and Mary Abigail Hutchens. Frank Hutchens was one of five children. His siblings were William Conger, Henry, Clara Abigail and Floyd Grant.

Hutchens' formative years were spent at the family home on 201 Chapin Street.

Even as a 12 year-old, Hutchens was inspired by art, at first by Sara A. Saunders, a local artist. Saunders must have made an impression on young Hutchens for he referred to her more than 50 years later in a letter dated Feb. 2, 1937 as "a dear old soul and very courageous." Hutchens died four days later.